Photographic plate moving apparatus



Oct. 31, 1950 slMJlAN 2,527,584

PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATE MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2. 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR. L. /iV /QH Ot. 31, 1950 1.. G. SIMJIAN 2,527,584

PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATE MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2. 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY Oct. 31, 1950 G. SlMJlAN 2,527,534

PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATE MOVING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR L. G". J/rrJlan ATTO R N EY Patented Oct. 31, 1950 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATE MOVING APPARATUS This inventionrelates to a combination of the class disclosed in my Patent 2,386,276,granted October 9, 1945, wherein I show and claim a camera that islinearly movable on a, base for photographing on one plate several viewsof an object.

In the camera of my earlier patent, a movable photographic plate isutilized, the plate being mounted in a plate holder that is adapted tomove into several different positions relatively to the lens of thecamera. It is a feature of the said camera that the plate holder ismoved into its several positions coincidental with the movement of thecamera on a mounting base. It is an object of this invention tocontribute a camera of the type disclosed in my said patent, butembodying structure whereby better photographs may be taken with aminimum of skill.

One of the features of my invention whereby the objects thereof areobtained, resides in the utilization of focusing mechanism that isautomatically adjusted as the camera is moved transversely relatively tothe mounting base and therefore toward and from the object beingphotographed. Thus, the mere movement of the camera relatively to theobject for varying the size of the image is effective to adjust thefocus automatically. As a more particular feature of this part of theinvention, the focusing mechanism is so constructed that once it isfocused in any particular position of the camera, it automaticallyremains focused in all positions of the camera on the mounting base.

A further feature of the invention resides in the utilization of amounting member on which the camera is mounted for transverse movement,the mounting member itself moving linearly on a base into the severalpositions in which the camera is adapted to take photographs. Means areprovided on the mounting member for moving the camera transverselyrelatively thereto, and therefore transversely of the base. Means areprovided on the mounting member for mov. ing the plate holder of thecamera into its several positions, and it is a feature of the inventionthat the means on the mounting member are in effective engagement withthe plate holder actuating mechanism in all positions of the camerarelatively to the mounting member.

As a still further feature of the invention the mountin member andcamera are adapted for movement relatively to the base by means of novelcharacter. Thus, as a feature of the invention the base is provided witha, roller or similar type chain, and the mounting member is providedwith a sprocket adapted for contact with said chain.

mounting member. linearly relatively to the base. a

As still a further feature of this part of the invention, the chain isadapted through its coaction with the sprocket to guide the mountingmember in its movement relatively to the base so that if the chain isarranged in an arcuate path, the camera and mounting member will bemoved in an arcuate path.

A further feature of the invention resides in the mounting of the cameraso that it may be tilted. More particularly, this feature of theinvention resides in means mounting the camera, preferably through themounting member and base, for tilting movement through movement of thecamera bodily in an arcuate path centered on the lens of the camera whenthe camera is in a particular position. More particularly, this featureof the invention resides in the mounting of the camera so that it moveswith the base member relatively to a foundation in the particular mannerset forth.

In the camera of my earlier patent, the plate holder is moved by meansof a, pinion in contact with a series of racks arranged preferably atright angles to one another. The rotation of the pinion moves the plateholder equally in all directions to which movement is imparted thereto,this being desirable because each of the pictures that results issquare. In the present invention, it is desirable that the photographsbe oblong in form, and therefore it is necessary to impart greatermovement to the film holder in one direction than in a, direction atright angles to the said one direction. As a feature of the invention Icontribute means for imparting such movement to the plate holder.

More particularly, this feature of the invention resides in theutilization of movement imparting means on the plate holder that areadapted for different cooperation with actuating means provided for thepurpose. More particularly, this feature of my invention resides in theutilization of offset racks adapted for coaction with different pinions,it being still a further feature of the invention that the saiddifferent pinions are on one shaft and are rotated coincidentally withthe movement of the camera and its mounting member linearly on the base.Even more particularly, the pinions are formed with varying numbers ofteeth so that each pinion will impart a different speed of movement tothe racks. It is of course quite apparent that the racks may have teethof different formation for contributin the same result.

A further feature of the invention resides in means for controlling theactuation of the shutter of the camera. Thus, a particular feature ofthe invention resides in means whereby once the shutter is actuated totake a photograph, it can not be actuated once again until the camera ismoved linearly on the base to present a further portion of the film tothe lens. In this way, double exposure of the film is prevented, and thecamera is rendered fool-proof when operated by unskilled or carelessoperators. As still a further feature of this portion of the invention,the actuation of the shutter is prevented after the final exposure,until the plate holder is manipulated in a predetermined manner.Preferably, this manipulation comprises the movement of the cover of thefilm holder for the withdrawal of the film plate therefrom. Thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that in this manner thedouble exposure of the film after the taking of the last photograph, isprevented.

A still further feature of the invention resides in means utilizing forthe counter-balancing of the plate holder so as to facilitate itsmovement vertically on the camera.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the utilization ofmeans for exposing a part of each film portion to light reflected from anumbering or other identifying means. A further feature of this portionof the invention resides in the utilization of an auxiliary shutter thatis manipulated simultaneously with the main shutter for passing lightfrom a numbering or other identifying member to a small part of eachfilm portion. As a still further feature of this part of the invention,I utilize novel means for holding a numbering or similar identifyingplate in position for the reflection of a portion of its image to eachfilm portion exposed to the main shutter.

I have thus outlined the more important features of my invention inorder that my contribution to the art may be better understood and inorder that the relation of my contribution to the prior art may bebetter comprehended. I do believe that m contribution is a broad andvaluable one and that I am therefore entitled to patent claims that willprevent newcomers in the field from utilizing my invention with suchvariations in physical structure as will readily occur to those skilledin the art. Also, while I have described generally several importantfeatures of my invention, there are other important features that willbe described particularly in the specification and will be claimed inthe claims appended hereto.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view looking downwardly on the camera of my inventionmounted on a mounting member and in turn on a base member, with a basemember movable on a foundation.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of part of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections taken respectively along lines 33 and 4-4 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along lines 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing a latch for the cover of the plateholder and the means actuated by the said latch when it is moved torelease position.

Fig. 7 is a view of a holder for the number and data card.

Fig. 8 is a view of the camera and a portion of 4 the mounting membertaken generally along lines 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a view of a portion of the camera taken along the line 99 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view looking downwardly on the camera.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the means for moving the film plateholder.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing th means for controlling theactuation of the shutter.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and especially Figs.1-4 inclusive, my camera is designated generally by reference numeral l0and is mounted for transverse movement toward and from the object onwhat I term a mounting member II. This mounting member H is in turnmounted for linear movement in an arcuate path on what I term a base l2.The base I2 is in turn adapted for pivotal movement together with themounting member II and camera In relatively to what I term a foundationI3.

I shall first describe the means whereby the mounting member I I ismovable with the camera ll) linearly on the base [2. As is best seen insuch figures as 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9, the mounting member II is supportedfor rolling movement on the base l2 by a series of wheels I4 suitablymounted on brackets l5. Mounted centrally of the mounting member I l, asis best seen in Figs. 5 and 8, is a shaft [6 supported in bearings I1and i8 fixed on the mounting member. This shaft 16 is rotatable by acrank 19 that is pinned to the shaft at 20, the shaft extendingoutwardly of the mounting member from a guard casing 2|. Within theguard casing 21 there is a sprocket 22 that is suitably secured to theshaft [6 for rotation integrally therewith. The teeth of the sprocket 22are adapted for engagement with a roller chain 23, this roller chainbeing applied and fixed to the base l2 as is best seen in Fig. 1.

Since it is desirable that the camera move in the path of an arccentered at the point C in Fig. 1, the base 12 is shaped so as to allowthe camera to so move. The chain 23 is applied to the base in an arcuatepath, being sufficiently flexible for this purpose, and it is thefunction of the sprocket when it is rotated by the crank l9 and shaft [6to coact with the chain and move the camera linearly in the arcuate pathof the chain 23. Moreover, the sprocket 22 is adapted for coaction withthe plates 24 of the roller chain 23 so as to maintain the camera in thepath predetermined by the positioning of the roller chain. Thus, thesprocket 22 and the chain 23 coact not only to move the camera but alsoto guide the camera in accordance with the path predetermined by thepositioning of the chain on the base [2.

I shall now describe the manner in which the camera It) is movabletransversely to the mounting member I l to and from the point at C. Forthe particular purpose, the lower portion of camera I0 is formed fromone or more channel members 25 as best shown in Fig. 9. These channelmembers have surfaces 25a adapted to bear on a plate 26 of the mountingmember ll so that the camera may slide transversely relatively to themounting member I i. For retaining the camera on the plate 26 for thismovement, the channel members 25 have secured thereto brackets 21 whichcooperate with the side edges and under surfaces of the plate 26 for theparticular purpose, all as those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate. Naturally, it is possible to devise any number of means formounting the camera for 25 is a shaft 30.

sliding movement relatively to the mounting member H and I have hereindescribed but one particular form. Y

Fixed to the plate 26 of the mounting member [I are a pair of parallelracks 28 as best seen in Figs. 5 and 9. Mounted on the camera itselfthrough bearings 29 fixed to one of the channels This shaft 30 carriesthereon two pinions 3| that are in engagement with the racks 28. Securedto the shaft 38 outwardly of the camera is a knob 32, and it is nowobvious that mere rotation of the knob 32 and the shaft 30 will cause areaction between the pinions 3| and racks 28 for moving the camerarelatively to the mounting member and toward and away from the point Cat which is stationed the object to be photographed.

' As was earlier set forth generally, it is desirable'that thetransverse movement of the camera on the mounting member I I beeffective to adjust automatically the focusing mechanism of the cameraso that the camera, once focused, will remain in focus in all positionsthereof. For the particular purpose, the camera frame carries thereon abracket 33 formed with a bearing abutment 34 as is best seen in Figs. 9and 10. Mounted within the bearing abutment 34 is a shaft 35 to which issuitably secured a sprocket wheel 36. Running over the sprocket wheel 36is a sprocket chain 31, which as best illustrated in Fig. 5 extendsdownwardly from the sprocket 36 into coaction with a sprocket 38 bestillustrated in Fig. 9. This sprocket 38 is pinned at 39 to the shaft 30,it being remembered that this is the shaft that contributes thetransverse movement of the camera relatively to the mounting member IIand the base l2.

The shaft 35 that is rotated by the sprocket 36 carries a disc 48 thatis secured for integral rotation therewith as best seen in Figs. 9 and10.

A second disc 4| is mounted for sliding movement relatively to the disc40 on a key 42 and may be secured to the disc 40 in any one of a seriesof positions by means such as screws 43 shown in Fig. 10. A pin 44extends'from the disc 4| and it is obvious that this pin 44 may be movedinto any predetermined eccentric position relatively to the shaft 35through the sliding adjustment of the disc 4| on key 42 relatively tothe disc 48. 'Pin 44 is adapted to lie between the lugs 45 secured tothe camera focusing tube 46 and to move that tube inwardly and outwardlyrelatively to the camera so as to change the focus in a manner whichwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Inactual operation, the camera will first be focused in a particularposition and the pin 44 will then be applied between the lugs 45. The

eccentricity of the pin 44 will then be adjusted by movement of the disc4| relatively to key 42 and disc 40 so that its movement by the rota-.

tion of the shaft 35 incidental to the movement of the camera toward andaway from point C will always maintain the camera in focus. In otherwords, once the camera is focused, it will be maintained in focus by therotation of pin 44 incidental to the transverse movement of the cameratoward and from the object.

The plate holder of my camera is designated generally by referenceletter H and comprises the usual base 41 and a cover 48, the cover beinghinged to the base at 49 and 58 as is best seen in Fig. 8. A latch 5| ispivoted at 52 to the base 41 and coacts with a pin 53 on the cover formaintaining the cover in its closed position of Fig. 6.

engagement with the gear I I.

6 It will of course be readily appreciated that's. usual type of platefilm may be inserted into the plate holder H for exposure through thelens L upon actuation of the shutter mechanism.

The plate holder H is secured to a metal bearing plate 54 as probablybest seen in Figs. 5, 8 and 10. The bearing plate 54 is formed with fourbearing rollers 55 best seen in Fig. 8, the lower rollers resting on abar 56 while the upper rollers 55 rest on a bar 51, it being obvious nowthat the bearing plate 54 may move horizontally on the rollersrelatively to the bars 56 and 51. Bars 56 and 51 are secured to avertically moving carrying'memiber 58 to which are secured bearingstrips 59 as best seen in Fig. 10. These bearing strips 59 bear againststructural right angle members 6| that are fixed to form part of thecamera frame. A plate 62 is fixed to the angle member El and is ofcourse itself therefore part of the main frame of the camera.

It is now obvious that the carrying member 58 is adapted for verticalsliding movement relatively to the late. 62 and right angle members 6|,and. therefore is really arranged for vertical sliding movementrelatively to the camera itself. It is of course further apparent thatthe bearing plate 54 is adapted for lateral movement relative- 1y to thecarrying member 58 while moving vertically therewith. The plate holderH, being fixed to bearing plate '54, will move horizontally relativelyto the camera with plate 54 and vertically on the camera with carryingmember 56. .In summary, the plate holder H is adapted for horizontal andvertical movement relatively to the camera. This movement is impartedthereto by a system of racks and opinions related to that illustrated inmy earlier Patent 2,386,276, and

now to be described.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 9 and 11, the bearing .plate 54 has fixedthereto horizontal racks 64 and 65. There is also secured to the plate54 a vertical rack 66 the teeth of which are in offset relation to theteeth of racks '64, 65. The racks 64, 65.are adapted for coaction with apinion 61 secured to a shaft 68, while the teeth of rack 66 are adaptedfor coaction with a pinion 69 secured to the same shaft 68.- Securedalso to the shaft 68 is a gear 18 in engagement with a further gear H asis best seen in Figs. 5, 9 and 11. As is particularly best seen in Fig.5, the shaft 68, and the further shaft 12 on which is mounted the gear II, are both journaled in a bearing bracket 12 that extends upwardlyfromone of the channel mem- Gear H is in engagement with a pinion 14 that iskeyed relatively to a keyway 15 of the shaft l6 as best seen in Fig. 5and may therefore slide on the shaft l6 while always adapted forrotation thereby.

A hub 16, integral with the pinion 14, is formed with a groove 1'!adapted for coaction with a pin 18 secured to the camera frame at 18a asseen best in Fig. 5. Because of this relationship of the parts, when thecamera is moved in Fig. 5 toward the right because of the coaction ofthe pinions 3| with the racks 28, the pin 18 will move the .pinion 14 soas to maintain that pinion always in In other words, in all positions ofthe camera I0 relatively to the mounting member II, the pinion 14 ofshaft |6 will be in engagement with the gear 1|. Naturally, the pinion14 will always be in keyed and driven relation to the shaft l6 forrotation with the shaft [6. It is of course obvious now that rotation ofthe shaft l6 incidental to the movement of the camera and its mountingmember relatively to the base I2, will effect rotation of the gears IIand I0. This will in turn effect rotation of the shaft 68 and thepinions 61 and 69.

Considering the bearing plate 54 in its position of Fig. 11, acounter-clockwise rotation of the shaft 68 will cause pinion 6'! tocoact with the teeth of rack 65 for moving bearing plate 54 to the rightin the said Fig. 11. When the said bearing plate has been moved to theextreme right the pinion 67 will move out of engagement with rack 65while the teeth of pinion 69 will move into engagement with the teeth ofrack 66. Thereafter, continued counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft68 will effect a downward movement of the rack 66 and the plate 54 so asto bring the teeth of pinion 61 into engagement with the upper rack 64.Of course, the bearing plate 54 will now be movable by pinion 67 to theleft. The effect of this action will be to move the plate holder Hhorizontally and vertically, and if desired, into four differentpositions to make four different photographs on the single plate film.

Because the pinion 69 has more teeth than the pinion 61, the verticalmovement of the bearing plate 54 incidental to a particularpredetermined rotation of the shaft 68 will be greater than thehorizontal movement thereof. Shaft 68 will preferably rotate through onerevolution when the camera moves linearly with its mounting memberrelatively to the base I2 from one picture taking position to a secondpicture taking position, the four picture taking positions beingdesignated by the four letters P P P and P in Fig. 1. As is Well setforth in my earlier patent, the crank I9 may be equipped with detentmechanism I9a whereby to lock the shaft I6 after one revolution has beenimparted thereto for moving the camera from one position such as P to asecond position such as P Movement from one photographing position to asecond photographing position will move the bearing plate through therack and pinion mechanism horizontally and vertically so as to move theplate holder H to expose one of its four sections S S S and S to thelens L. In Fig. 8 the section S is exposed to the lens L so thatoperation of the shutter mechanism will expose that portion of the filmsubtended by the dividing surfaces 79, 80, BI and 82 of plate holder H.

It will be noted that each of the sections S S S and S instead of beingsquare as in my earlier patent supra, is oblong so that the resultingpictures will also be oblong. It is through the utilization of the twopinions 61 and 6s and the racks 64, 65 that sufiiciently greatervertical movement may be imparted to the plate holder H during linearmovement of the camera from one picture taking position to another, andwhereby oblong rather than square pictures may be taken.

It will be appreciated that the plate holder H and the bearing plate 54together with member 58 are relatively heavy. For facilitating thevertical movement of these several parts I utilize a pair of springs 83secured at their upper ends at 84 to the frame of the camera and attheir lower ends to pins 58a extending from the vertically slidingcarrying member 58. Those skilled in the art will of course fullyappreciate the manner in which the springs 83 coact with the severalparts.

The shutter mechanism of my camera i conventional and is indicatedgenerally by the reference letter S. This shutter mechanism is adaptedfor operation upon upward movement of a rod that is supported forsliding movement in a bearing 86 carried by a bracket 81 as is best seenin Fig. 5. For imparting this upward movement to the rod 85 to actuatethe shutter mechanism, I utilize a shutter actuator 01' lever 88 bestillustrated in Figs. 9 and 12. This lever 88 is pivotally mounted at 89on a bracket 90 of the camera and has a finger piece 9I extendingoutwardly from the camera for manual depression. A spring 92 secured at93 to the actuator 88, and at 94 to the main frame of the camera,normally urges the actuator into its position of Fig, 9, the downwardmovement of the finger piece 9I of actuator 88 being against theresistance of the spring 92 and effective to rotate the said actuatorclockwise about its pivotal mounting 89. An arm 95 of the lever 88 isformed with a surface 96 that bears against a button 91 secured to therod 85. Therefore, upon clockwise rotation of the actuator lever 88 inFig. 9, the arm 95 will move upwardly causing its surface 96 to impartupward movement to the rod 85 through the button 91. This will effectoperation of the shutter mechanism S as will be quite apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

As was earlier indicated in this specification, the shutter mechanismonce actuated, is intended to be rendered inoperative against furtheractuation until the camera is moved from one picture taking position,such as P in Fig. l, to a second picture taking position such as P Forthis purpose, the actuator lever 88 is formed with a pin 98 with whichcoacts a detent lever 99 as is best seen in Figs. 9 and 12. The detentlever 99 is pivoted at I90 on the frame of the camera and is furtherpivoted at IOI to a link I62 that is in turn pivoted at I03 on the mainframe of the camera. A spring I04 is secured at one end to the detent 99and at its other end to the main frame of the camera and tends to urgethe detent into the position of Fig. 9. Obviously, upon downwardmovement of the portion 9| of actuator 88, equivalent to clockwiserotation thereof on pivot shaft 89 on Fig. 9, the pin 98 will be broughtunder the detent surface 99a of detent 99, and the actuator lever 88will be prevented from moving back to its position of Figs. 9 and 12,thereby rendering the shutter mechanism inoperative.

The shutter actuator lever 88 may be released from detent 99, and moreparticularly the detent surface 99a, by a rotation of the said detent 99clockwise about its bearing I00 against the opposition of spring I 04.This movement is imparted to the detent 99 through operation of a camI05 fixed on the shaft 68. It will be recalled that the shaft 68 carriesthe two pinions 61 and 69 that impart movement to the plate holder I-l'.through the bearing plate 54. It will further be remembered that theshaft 68 is rotated incidental to the movement of the camera auditsmounting member I I relatively to the base I2 from one picture takingposition to a second picture taking position. This rotation of shaft 68from one picture taking position to another is 360 degrees, and a highsurface of the cam I05 is adapted to contact a pin I06 on link I02during each revolution of the shaft 68. This movement of the cam I05will raise link I02 and through pivot IOI will rotate detent 99 torelease the actuator lever 88 so that the actuator lever may move underthe influence of its spring 92 back to its position of Fig. 9.

It is therefore appreciated that when the camera is moved from onepicture taking position such as 5", after the depression and locking ofthe actuator lever 80, to a second picture taking position such as P,the said actuator lever 88 is released from the detent 99. Actuator 88then moves to its position of Fig. 9 and may once again be operated tomove the shutter actuating rod 85 so that the shutter mechanism may beoperated to take a second picture. Of course, upon the taking of thesecond picture at P by the depression of the actuator 88, the detent 99will once again lock the actuator 88 until the camera is moved to thethird picture taking position P During this movement to the thirdpicture taking position the cam I05 will once again release the actuatorlever 88 from the detent 99.

After the taking of the last picture at position P, the actuator lever88 is once again locked by the detent 99. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that at this point it is desirable to obtain access to theexposed film, and I provide means whereby the act of taking the exposedfilm. from the plate holder H eifects the release of the shut teractuating mechanism and more particularly the actuator lever 80. Thus,the link I02 has pivoted thereto at I01 a further link I08 that ispivoted at I09 to an arm H integrally secured at I II to a verticallymoving link I I2. This link H2 is suitably guided for vertical movementon the camera frame as by a pin I I3 extending from the camera frameinto a slot I I4 thereof. A pair of bell cranks H5 are pivoted at H6 tothe link II2, suitable bosses II'I being provided in one of the rightangle structural members 6| for the pivotal mounting of the said bellcrank levers H5. Arms H8 are formed on each of the bell crank levers H5and extend laterally at H9 into position for contact by a surface I20 onthe latch 5|.

When the plate holder is in its upper position of Figs. 6 and 12,counter-clockwise rotation of latch 5| will depress the portion II9 ofthe arm I I8 of the upper bell crank lever H5. When the plate holder isin a lower position the surface I20 of latch 5| will coact similarlywith the lower of the bell crank levers I I5. Obviously, the clockwiserotation of the latch 5I will effect a counterclockwise rotation of oneor the other of the bell crank levers H5 to impart upward movement tothe link H2. This upward movement results in an upward movement of thearm I I0 and a consequent pivotal movement of the link I02 about itspivotal shaft I03. This, of course, effects clockwise rotation of thedetent 99 about its pivot I00 to withdraw the surface 99a from lookingengagement with pin 98. Thereupon, the actuator lever 88 is released andrestored to its operative position of Figs. 9 and 12. Of course, theparticular movement of the latch 5| just described is effective torelease pin 53 of the door 48 of the plate holder B so that the platemay be removed and a fresh plate substituted therefor. It is thusreadily seen that a double exposure of the film is never possible sinceit is always necessary to move the camera or to open the plate holder Hin order to restore the effectiveness of the shutter actuatingmechanism.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5, 7 and 9, it will be notedthat there extends from the main frame of the camera a box-like housingI2I in which is adapted to be inserted a plate I22. The plate I22 is inturn adapted to support through clips I23 a customer number and datacard I24. This number and data card is filled out with the name of theparticular customer whose photograph is to be'taken, and a serialnumber. When the card I24 and plate I22 are inserted into the housingI2I, the serial number on the card will be exposed through a slot I25in'the said housing. The slot I25 is in turn directly under a passageI26 in the camera that is normally closed by a shutter I21.

In alignment with the passage I26 there is a mirror I28 positioned toreflect light longitudinally of the camera toward the plate film inholder H. This light will be reflected to one of the four sections S S Sand S of the plate through one of the partitioned openings I29, I30, I3Iand I32 of the plate holder H depending upon the position of the plateholder H relatively to the lens L of the camera.

Shutter I2! is adapted for movement by a trigger I33 carried by asliding plate I34. This plate I34 is best shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 12,and is pivoted at its lower end through a pin I35 to the arm of theactuator lever 88. The sliding plate I34 is guided through its slot I36coacting with a pin I3'I for movement in a predetermined path so thatthe trigger I33 will strike the lip I 21a of the shutter IT! as theplate I34 moves upwardly from its position in Fig. 5. It will now bereadily appreciated that when the actuator 88 is rotated clockwise onits pivot shaft 89 to actuate the shutter mechanism for taking aphotograph, the sliding plate I34 through trigger I33 willsimultaneously move the shutter I21 so that light may be refiected fromthe number and data card I24 against the film in the path of the lineI38 best seen in Fig. 5. In this way, the taking of a photograph will beeffective to record simul taneously on the film the number of the cardof the particular customer whose photograph is being taken.

As was indicated broadly earlier in the specification, it is frequentlynecessary to tilt the base I2 so as to tilt also the camera I0 andmounting member I I. This tilting is accomplished by providing thefoundation member I3 with a pair of arcuate tracks I40 with which coactrollers I4I supported on brackets I42 carried by the base I2. Obviously,any movement of the base I2 on the rollers I4I will be effective to tiltthe base and the camera mounted thereon. For moving the base I2 on itsrollers I4I relatively to the foundation member I3, I provide thefoundation member I3 with a roller chain supporting track I43 that isarcuate in shape to the same degree as are the tracks I40. A bracket I44and additional brackets I4 5 depending from the base I2 support forrotation a shaft I46, this shaft being rotatable by a pair of cranksI4'I secured at each end thereof.

There is mounted on the shaft I46 a sprocket I48 that is adapted forengagement with the links of a roller chain I49 that is applied to thesurface of the track I43. It is now obvious that a rotation of the shaftI46 by either of the cranks I4'I will effect rotation of the sprocketI48 and a consequent movement of the base I2 relatively to thefoundation I3. This will of course result in a tilting movement of thecamera. It will be well to indicate that the arcuate path in which thecamera moves is part of a circle centering on the lens of the cameraindicated at L in Figs. 3 and 4. In View of this arrangement, the camerawill be focused on the object in all positions thereof.

I believe that the operation and construction of my invention will nowbe quite apparent to those skilled in the art, but I think it best toreview one complete operation thereof.

W th t e plate holder in the position of Figs.

5 and 11, and the camera in position P a plate film is placed in thesaid plate holder H, and the latch 5i locked. Thereupon the camera ismoved by manipulation of the focusing knob 32 until the camera is adesired distance away from the object depending on the type of pictureto be taken. During the movement of the camera relatively to the racks28 induced by rotation of the knob 32, the focusing of the camera willbe maintained through the sprockets 3|, 36 and the chain 37, these partsacting to rotate the eccentric pin 44 that is first adjusted to vary thefocus of the camera in proper relation to its movement toward and fromthe object.

The plate 122 and a customer data and number card I24 are then placed inthe housing HI, and the operator depresses the actuator lever 88. Thisdepression of the actuator lever 88 effects the operation of the shuttermechanism to expose the film and simultaneously moves the shutter I 2!to reflect the serial number of the customers card 124 onto a part ofthe film plate that is subtended in opening 29. The actuator lever 88 isof course now locked in its depressed position by the detent 99 so thata second exposure can not be made. Now, the operator rotates the crankl9 after first releasing the detent 19a, the said indent [9a acting tolock the crank 19 once again when it has been rotated a predetermineddegree. This predetermined rotation of the crank 19 will effect amovement of the camera from the first picture taking position P to thesecond picture taking position P The earn 105 and shaft 68 are rotatedthrough this rotation of the crank 19 and its shaft l 6 through theintermediary of the pinion 74 and gears H and 70, and cam I05 acts ofcourse to move the detent 99 to release the actuating lever 88. Ofcourse, the pinion 67 has coacted with the rack 65 to move the filmplate holder H to expose a second one of the sections S S S and S to thelens L. A second exposure may now be made by actuator or lever 38. Afterthe final film action has been exposed through full movement of theplate holder by both pinions 67, 69, the actuator 88 is released byoperation of the latch 5| through the medium of the bell cranks H5 andthe link I02. The plate film ma now be removed and a new platepositioned in the plate holder H for a repetition of the cycle ofoperation in a reverse direction. The adjustment of the camera fortilting has of course been explained and need not be emphasized furtherhere.

It is thought that those skilled in the art will now fully appreciatethe considerable merits of my invention and the results contributedthereby.

I now claim:

1. In a camera of the class described, a plate holder, means mountingsaid plate holder for sliding movement in said camera, a series of rackportions fixed on said plate holder in predetermined angular relation,at least one of said rack portions having its teeth in oirset relationto the other of said rack portions, an operating shaft, a pair ofpinions axially spaced on said shaft for rotation on said camera so thatone pinion will engage operatively only the said one of said rackportions and the other of said pinions engages operatively the other ofsaid rack portions, the said rack portions being of such form and soangularly positioned and ofi'set that when one rack portion is engagedoperatively with one pinion, the other rack portion is disengagedoperatively from the other pinion.

2. In a camera of the class described, a plate holder, means mountingsaid plate holder for sliding movement in said camera, a series oftraction contributing members fixed on said plate holder, at least oneof said traction contributing members being in offset relation to theother of said traction contributing members, a shaft, a pair of tractioncontributing means on said shaft adapted for rotation on said camera,said traction contributing means being offset axially of said shaft sothat one traction containing means will engage only the said one of saidtraction contributing members and the other of said tractioncontributing means engages the other of said traction contributingmembers, the said traction contributing members being so positioned andoffset that only one traction contributing member will at any one timebe engaged With a traction contributing means for movement.

3. In a combination of the class described, a plate holder, meansmounting said plate holder for sliding movement in a vertical plane onsaid camera, rack portions fixed to said plate holder and forming, ineffect, a continuous rack having a pair of parallel rack portionsconnected b a transverse rack portion perpendicular to said parallelrack portions, said transverse rack portion lying offset relatively tosaid parallel portions, a pair of pinions coaxially mounted in offsetrelation so that one pinion will engage only the transverse rack portionwhile the other pinion engages said parallel rack portions, saidtransverse rack portion terminating at a point to engage or disengagesaid one pinion just as the other pinion disengages or engages theparallel rack portions, and said one pinion having a tooth relation tosaid transverse rack different from that of the other pinion to saidparallel racks.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 30,850 Wing Dec. 4, 1860 492,025Klay Feb. 21, 1893 872,871 Wayland Dec. 3, 1907 969,360 GrandperrinSept. 6, 1910 1,312,675 Boyer Aug. 12, 1919 1,362,787 Gongaware Dec. 21,1920 1,662,304 Doogood et al Mar. 13, 1928 1,722,935 Messter July 30,1929 1,749,012 Willson Mar. 4, 1930 1,925,524 Riccio Sept. 5, 19331,982,322 Ries et a1 Nov. 27, 1933 2,140,602 Simjian Dec. 20, 19382,172,283 Kirby et al Sept. 5, 1939 2,356,363 Thompson Aug. 22, 19442,364,363 Howell Dec. 5, 1944 2,386,276 Simjian Oct. 9, 1945 2,400,455Donaldson May 14, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 459,167 GreatBritain Jan. 4, 1937

